A COUNCIL was last night condemned for failing to get to grips with a benefit payments backlog that has seen some tenants evicted from their homes and other vulnerable people left in dire financial straits.

In July, Durham County Council apologised over problems caused by the “over ambitious” roll-out of a computer system to process council tax and housing benefits.

But since its pronouncement the problems have worsened.

The Northern Echo has learnt that:

• The average wait faced by claimants to have payments processed has lengthened from seven or eight weeks to more than ten, with some waiting several months;
• Some tenants with private landlords have been evicted because of late payment of rent;
• Council telephone lines have been clogged leaving people unable to speak to those dealing with their claims.

Meanwhile, there have also been allegations that too few staff have been available to clear the backlog, because of council cost-cutting, although 20 extra staff were employed over the summer.

Donna Stewart, a business development manager at Sedgefield and District Citizens Advice Bureau, said one of its clients had already been evicted because his benefit was not processed in time.

She said: “He is now facing eviction yet again from a new property as his claim was made in June and still has not been dealt with.

“There are bound to be others in the same boat who have not come to us for advice.”

Ms Stewart added: “Obviously, a massive delay in having benefits processed causes unnecessary anxiety and distress for our clients, particularly for those facing eviction through no fault of their own.

“We need to know how much longer this is going to go on for and get back to cases being processed within a reasonable time frame.”

Sedgefield CAB chairman Vince Crosby said the council had taken on more than it could chew in taking over responsibility for all revenues and benefits.

He also suggested it could face legal action from affected tenants, who could be awarded costs.

At the other end of the county, Neil Bradbury, chief executive of East Durham Citizens Advice Bureau, said the situation had got “much worse” since the summer.

He said: “The whole system appears to have ground to a halt and it does not look like this mess is being resolved.

“This is causing financial hardship for our clients and for residents all over County Durham.”

Mr Bradbury also said that CAB advisors could not get through on the phone to speak to the council because it took “for ever”.

Durham County Council said the implementation of the system would be completed in December and improvements in service levels would then be seen.

Don McLure, its corporate director of resources, said: “We are working to tackle the backlog of claims which is resulting in a knock on effect on processing times for new claims. Anyone who is experiencing difficulties or who is concerned about delays is urged to contact us.

“As well as arranging provisional payments in advance of benefits claims being processed we are also working with landlords to ease the difficulties some tenants may be facing.”